Congratulations on wading through all the introductory information. At this point, you will be aware that the City will be conducting a sub-watershed study and developing a detailed Implementation Plan for the estimated $60–100 Million worth of work to be effected in the Taylor Massey watershed under Wet Weather Flow Master Plan, with construction forecast to take place from 2008 to 2012.

You will also be aware that FODE was successful in suggesting an amendment to the Plan to ensure baseline expenditures on green infrastructure, so that a significant portions of these funds will be guaranteed to be used for watercourse naturalization, wetlands, and streamside plantings, and not be gobbled up by potential cost over-runs on pipes and concrete.

We have also provided several high-level suggestions for the Implementation Plan: that some of the baseflow from north of the 401 be restored to the CreekTaylor (Reach A10); that a River Restorer be considered within the Underwriters' Reach (Reach A8); and of course that the City use the Wet Weather Flow process as a means of ensuring the acquisition of the Warden Hydro Corridor and the creation of the Taylor Massey Trail.

Currently, we are working to identify other major naturalization elements for Taylor Massey Creek, including where wetlands can be expanded or created, as well as developing our own list of priority areas for riparian (streamside) plantings, and will share our suggestions with the City as it develops the Implementation Plan. We also pledge ourselves to working with the City to plant watercourse areas following construction.

In the meantime, as construction under the Wet Weather Flow plan might damage riparian plantings close to the watercourse, FODE has also identified and is pursuing stock and funding for 19 non-riparian planting sites: areas we can plant between 2004 and 2008, and beyond; that will increase the extant and value of our urban canopy; and that would not be damaged by the construction scheduled to take place 2008-2012.

In fact, we started planting the first of these areas, in the Farlinger Ravine, in 2003, and will start the second, known as the North Goulding site, in the fall of 2004, thanks to the co-operation of the local Park Supervisor, the Toronto Trees and Parks Foundation, and staff in the Natural Environment and Horticultural Services division of the Parks Department.

A list of our 19 non-riparian planting sites, which may expand or contract as we move forward, follows:

Reach A7: The Eglinton Reach

Maida Vale Park

Plant the slope and table land on the north side of creek, adjacent to Birchmount Rd.

Eglinton Ravine

Plant north and south of the creek, just south of Eglinton

Eglinton and Falinger ravines

Plant all four corners where the Creek intersects the railway, including the Woodfern access

Farlinger Ravine

Expand tableland planting near Miniot. Started in 2003.

Farlinger Ravine

Establish planting near the Roebuck access

Farlinger Ravine

Plant the west side of the Creek north of Foxridges

Reach A5: The St Clair Reach

Warden/St. Clair

Plant area at NE corner of this intersection, above the creek

St. Clair Ravine

Expand existing non-riparian cover toward the east

Reach A4: Warden Woods

Prairie Drive

Expand existing canopy around Prairie Drive Park

Reach A2: The Goulding Estate

Denora Park

Select and plant either the east or west slope, not both

North Goulding

Naturalize lawn north of the driveway into the EstateTo be started September 25, 2004

South Goulding

Naturalize lawn south of the driveway

Reach A1: Taylor Creek Park

Dawes Road

Plant island in middle of the parking lot

Halsey Plateau

Plant tablelands west of Halsey and Park Vista Drive

Halsey–Notley

Expand natural areas on the north side of the creek

Haldon

Naturalize slope below the Haldon parking lot

Stan Wadlow

Naturalize slope below baseball diamonds

Taylor Park Drive

Expand plantings adjacent to the valley slope

Please see the calender of events for future plantings or contact us if your community organization wants to help us with plantings or other naturalization efforts in Taylor Massey Creek.